An 8-year-old girl who vanished from the Navajo Nation was found dead yesterday, according to tribal officials and law enforcement. The child, identified as Maleeka "Mollie" Boone, had last been seen Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, about 240 miles north of Phoenix. Federal and tribal investigators are now handling the case of her death.
Federal, Tribal Teams Leading Investigation
The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office is leading the investigation alongside the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation and has set up a command post in the Coalmine area, according to the Navajo Times. The Arizona Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Marshals Service, and local law enforcement agencies assisted in the search. Officials are keeping details about how Maleeka was found under wraps while the investigation remains active.
Turquoise Alert Issued Before Discovery
The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a Turquoise Alert for Maleeka on Friday, listing her last known location as Cedar Loop and Indian Route 672J in the Coalmine Navajo Housing Authority area, along with a description of her clothing and physical features, according to the state's alert page. The entry has since been updated to show her status as "Located" and now includes a photo and contact information for the Navajo Police Department. Hoodline previously covered the initial missing-person alert in an earlier missing-person alert story.
Leaders And Neighbors React
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren called the news devastating, saying in a social-media video that "this tragedy weighs heavy on my heart," as reported by The Associated Press. The disappearance triggered alerts and public appeals across the Navajo Nation and northern Arizona as community members and authorities worked urgently to find her, according to Navajo Times.
How The Alert System Fits Into A Broader Crisis
The Turquoise Alert system, created under state legislation often called "Emily's Law", was designed to speed public warnings for missing Indigenous or otherwise endangered people and has become an important tool for tribal communities, KNAU reported. Advocates say each alert underscores ongoing concerns about the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the region and the need for more coordinated resources.
How To Share Tips
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the FBI tip line at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The Navajo Police Department Tuba City District can also be reached using the contact information listed on the state's Turquoise Alert page. Authorities say they will release additional details as the investigation allows.
